Summer courses to sharpen up sewing skills

Summer courses to sharpen up sewing skills

Perth Theatre’s wardrobe team is offering a series of summer courses for adults and young people aged 14+ of all levels of experience to sharpen up their sewing skills.

Led by expert tutors, An Introduction to: Curtain Making on Wednesday 3 July, An Introduction to: Basic Sewing Skills from Thursday 4 until Saturday 6 July and An Introduction to: Corsetry from Thursday 11 until Saturday 13 July take place in Perth Theatre’s bright and spacious Wardrobe Department.

Perth Theatre’s associate costume maker and experienced curtain manufacturer, Alison Scott will introduce those who already have basic machine skills to the techniques needed to create curtains with a 3-inch Pencil Pleat header and a triple Pinch Pleat header. Course participants will then be able to recreate their own curtains at home.

Associate costume maker Liz McCafferty will guide beginners through an introduction to sewing and help them create a skirt or pair of trousers. Complete beginners will get to know the basics of a sewing machine, mark and cut out a pattern, learn to put in a zip, learn about seams and how to hand stitch the hem on their garment. They will walk away with a completed garment, step by step instructions for each process and the confidence to tackle new sewing projects at home.

More experienced seamsters can expand their knowledge and techniques as Liz McCafferty leads them in the production of a corset for costume, steam punk or bridal wear.

Louise Robertson, head of wardrobe for Perth Theatre said:

“We create hundreds of costumes from scratch for our productions and the team has a wealth of experience across many sewing techniques. We are often complemented on our creations and asked for tips and advice. Our sewing summer courses are ideal both for newcomers to sewing and for those looking to learn new skills in the relaxed and friendly Perth Theatre Wardrobe Department!”